The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1887-11-02
Fl. Ellis Reservation.

In Commissioner Sparks annual report
for the year 1887 we find the following
remarks from the commissioner and a
praise-worthy letter from Messrs Monroe
and lines.
Complaints and protests continue to
be received at this Office against the
sale at public auction of lands embraced
in re~linquished military reservations.
eMo~~~--~---;~-e -uL--.~ ~.~ Of tho
the United States, and are needed for
settlement purposes. 1t Is impossible
for'settlers to compete with capitalists
at public sales, and if sold in that man
ner the lands are certainly to pass into
the hands Of large proprietors, from
whom the farmer hereafter can purchase
if it all, only at greatly enhanced rates.
The general situation and the condition
o: public feeling in respect to the man
ner of disposing of these reservations is
shown in the following letter from the
register and receiver at Hozeman, Mont:
UNITED STATES LAND OFFICE
Bozeman, Mont, Feb. II, 1887, (
Hon. Commissioner General Land Office,
Washington, DC:
SIR: We, in response to public re-
quest and from our W convictions in
the premises, respectfully call your at
ton to the matter of the disposal of the
Fort Ellis military reservation, that
having been determined and placed in
the hands of the interior Department.
We believe that the best interests of
the government and of our people would
be met, not by its sale in large or small
bodies, but by its RELOCATION to the pub
lie lands and its disposal under the land
laws of the United States.
This reserve contains over $4,000 acres
and consists of agricultural, grass, timber.
stone, coal, and mineral lands. 1t com-
mands available iIrigating water, and is
one of the best locations in this Territory
and the best on many accounts now re-
naming unsettled in this land office dis
trict.
1t would BY rapidly taken up by bona
fde settlers and ~locators, and should it
be sold, rs seems now intended, the re-
suit in our opinion would be damaging
to public interest and a great disappoint-
ment to u people. Already We hear
= of syndlcates formed to attempt its pur-
g chase in a body. This we and all good
n citizens would deplore, as such disposal
# would not only prevent Its general set
Element, and consequentgenera improve
ment, materially deprivins the country
. of t~axpaying property, and added pop
~ulation. but it would establish almost
h within our little city, and between us
and the Yellowstone, a monopoly of
Il lands which it is rightly the policy of
the government and the department and
the people to discourage.
/. The available lands of this district are
not SO great in extent that this country
and Territory can afford to quietly wit
ness such disposal of this extensive and
l. valuable area, and we feel that under
the circumstances, we consistently adj
I'd dress you upon this subject.
A petition has gone forward asking the
Il, donation of a small area, with the build
il. ings thereon, of this reserve to the Terri
,e tory for insane asylum purposes, This
AZ we have had the honor to indorse, and
v. We feel that our present recommendation
#. regarding the remainder of this land
ID. covers a duty we owe to all concerned in
the matter. We therefore respectfully
NJ submit the matter. feeling that vol viii